MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE, EASTERN CAPE, LT GENERAL MPUMELELO LANDU

The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Landu, today applauded police on the arrest of one of our own, attached to the Ballistic Section, in connection with the break-in at the SAPS Ballistic Laboratory on the 2011-01-09.

A 42-year-old Sergeant was arrested by the members of the SAPS Hawks on the 2011-01-11 and has been charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery and the unlawful disclosure of information concerning a prohibited place. He is still in custody and his first court appearance is today, 2011-01-12.

Contrary to reports made by certain media yesterday that ‘hundreds of guns as well as ammunition are believed to have been stolen in the robbery at the Police Forensic Unit at the Eben Donges building in North End', the forensic audit conducted yesterday revealed that no firearms, guns and/or ammunition were stolen. Police intelligence revealed that the criminals specifically targeted the Chemical Laboratory, following a recent drug bust from Brazil.

Lt General Landu said today "I would like to assure the Eastern Cape community that no guns and ammunition whatsoever, or documentation and exhibits which might pose a security threat, have been stolen from the Ballistic Lab."

He added that "It is totally unacceptable for police officers to be involved in any form of criminal activities. It is my duty to root out criminal elements within the SAPS."

Statement issued by Lt Colonel Sibongile Soci, South African Police Service, January 12 2011

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